These 10 Road Trips in Maine Will Lead you to Places You’ll Never Forget
With more miles of coastline than California (yes, seriously!) and awe-inspiring mountain roads, Maine was made for road trips. You can use this list as an excuse to load up the car with travel snacks and see some of our state’s logging history, or, just spend some time looking at the coastline we all know and love. Whatever your reason for hitting the road, remember that the journey is more important than the destination. Some of the best road trips in Maine lead to places you’ll never forget.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. The Golden Road Maine Scenic Byway
Golden Road, Golden Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
Let's start with an awesome inland trip! The 96-mile Golden Road was built by the Great Northern Paper Company and stretches from the St. Zacharie Quebec border crossing to the company's former mill in Millinocket. Seems like a lot of work until you think about how they used to FLOAT the logs on the river to get them to the mill. Much of this road is unpaved so make sure your car is in good shape before heading out. Look forward to some awesome views of Katahdin on the way.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
2. The Katahdin Woods & Waters Maine Scenic Byway
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Hauling Rd 1, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA
Part of Maine's scenic byway system, this 89-mile trip is another one that will take you through the North Woods. On this trip, you'll go from Baxter State Park to Millinocket where you'll hop onto Route 11 to Medway. Here you'll head North on Route 11, eventually following Route 159 to the northern boundary of Baxter State Park at Matagamon. You can access the byway from Exit 244 in Medway and Exit 264 in Sherman if you're traveling on I-95.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
This 60-mile route makes for a lovely two-hour trip in chilly autumn temps for leaf peepin' or in the winter for views of snow-covered trees. Make a day of it in the summer for picnics, hikes, and swimming holes. Throughout the trip along the Saco River and the Mountain Division Rail, you'll pass sustainable working farms, artisans, and pure nature. The byway runs between Standish and Fryeburg.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
This 37-mile trip between Portage and Fort Kent will lead you to some of the best that Northern Maine has to offer. Take in the views of natural landscapes, including Mt. Katahdin and Eagle Lake, and then take a few side trips to places like Fort Kent Blockhouse, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, and Aroostook State Park.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
This eight-mile span of Route 1 is unforgettable. It's the shortest on this list but might give you some of the most breathtaking views of all. Enjoy the East Grand, Brackett, and Deering Lakes before reaching the byway's high point near the top of Peekaboo Mountain. If you're looking for more, this route will ultimately lead you into Aroostook County or New Brunswick, Canada.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
One of our favorites, this 52-mile route on State Routes 17, 16, and 4 surrounds Rangeley Lake and crosses the Appalachian Trail. The most memorable part is, perhaps, the view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake at the Height of Land. Depending on which season you make the trip, add a detour to Angel Falls, Coos Canyon, Rangeley Lakes State Park, Rangeley Logging Museum, or Saddleback Mountain for skiing.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
7. Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Schoodic National Scenic Byway, 395 State St, Ellsworth, ME 04605, USA
This 29-mile route will take you through the only mainland portion of Acadia. Along the shoreline, there are plenty of beautiful lighthouses and nature, as well as views of Cadillac Mountain and Mount Desert Island.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
8. Acadia All-American Scenic Roadway
Paradise Hill Road, Paradise Hill Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
This route is 40-miles of pure beauty. Perhaps considered one of the greatest hidden gems in Maine. If you're looking for a slice of all Maine has to offer, this just might be the road trip for you. You'll follow Route 3 into Bar Harbor and then follow the park loop road. Depending on the season, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy beaches, swimming holes, hiking, and views of just about any sort of waterway you're in the mood for. Take a side trip to Cadillac Mountain, Echo Lake, and Isle au Haut to name just a few options.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
9. Old Canada Road Scenic Byway, Route 201
Old Canada Road, Old Canada Rd, Bingham, ME 04920, USA
Choose this road trip if you're a history buff or if you have a love of adventure, including the desire for a quick rafting trip along the way. You'll see evidence of the 19th and 20th-century lumber boom in many of the towns on this 78-mile route. In fact, most of the area is a working forest and Route 201 continues to be an important trade route between Canada and the US. As you pass through these beautiful small towns, make sure to see one of the oldest, continually operating summer music theaters in the US, the Lakewood Theater in Madison. This trek might just be one of the best road trips in Maine for the summer months.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
If you're a lover of all things winter, you may have already been on a portion of this trip, which connects Kingfield with Sugarloaf USA, Stratton, and Eustis. Begin this route in Kingfield and follow the Carrabassett River for views of Mount Abraham and the Bigelow Range. Continue to the end and you'll be at the international border crossing in Coburn Gore.
To find out more about this scenic road trip in Maine, click here.
While these are some of the “official” scenic roadways, we know that there are some incredible stretches of the road all over Maine. Which of these do you think offers one of the best road trips in Maine?
And, of course, if nature isn’t your thing, you can always plan for some must-visit attractions in Maine using our list of great diners in Maine.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Road Trips In Maine
September 24, 2021
Marisa Roman
What are the most beautiful things to do in Maine?
Maine truly is a wonder, especially when you’re immersing yourself in all that nature has to offer. If you’re planning a trip and looking for the most beautiful things to do in Maine, we have you covered. These 10 unimaginably beautiful places in Maine are well-worth exploring, from Mount Battie in Camden to Acadia National Park in Mount Desert Island. How many of these beautiful hotspots in Maine can you check off your list?
What are the best little-known attractions in Maine?
Everyone loves the attractions that make each state famous, but what about those lesser-known spots? We have some hidden gems in Maine that deserve just as much attention as the more touristy areas. For instance, did you know there was an entire underwater city hidden in Flagstaff Lake? Or how about the hike along the Appalachian Trail which takes you along a stream to a waterfall? Some of Maine’s best-kept secrets are where you’ll least expect to find them.
What are the most highly-rated roadside stops in Maine?
Ahh, the beloved roadside attraction. Nearly everyone loves them, especially on those long road trips where you didn’t even know something like it existed. Some of the best must-visit attractions in Maine are those small roadside stops that you likely would’ve just passed by on any other normal drive. Take Hussey’s General Store, for example. This Windsor gem is Maine’s larger general store and offers anything from guns to wedding gowns. Or how about a stop at the Shoe Tree in Hodgdon? This tree is strung up with hundreds of shoes and is a truly usual sight to see. Check out the rest of the 16 bizarre roadside attractions you’ll only find in Maine.
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Michelle has lived in many places, but counts Maine as one of the best. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
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